Prop. 28 seeks to change California Legislature’s term limits

Should term limits be lengthened to 12 years? Credit: David Paul Morris/Getty Images

Should term limits be tweaked in California? One state ballot measure up for vote on June 5 is Proposition 28, which seeks to reduce the amount of time a person may serve in the state legislature from 14 years to 12 years.

The proposition, officially named the California Change in Term Limits Initiative, would allow a citizen to serve a total of 12 years either in the Assembly, the state Senate or a combination of both. Currently, under a 1990 term limit law, legislators may serve no more than six years in the Assembly and eight years in the state Senate.

The proposition would apply only to lawmakers elected after the measure’s passage. Supporters of the proposition include the state Democratic Party and a broad coalition called Californians For A Fresh Start, which includes the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, League of Women Voters of California and nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy group California Common Cause. They say the measure makes legislators more accountable, giving them time to develop expertise and write better laws instead of running for the next office.

Opponents to Prop 28 include the state Republican Party and groups such as the National Tax Limitation Committee. They say the proposition is a misleading increase in term limits, since it would allow lawmakers to serve up to 12 years in one legislative arm.

Why do you support or oppose Prop 28? Should the current term limits system in California get a makeover?

GUEST

Kathay Feng, executive director of nonprofit advocacy group California Common Cause, part of broad coalition Californians For a Fresh Start supporting Prop 28

Jon Fleischman, former vice chairman of the California Republican Party who writes the blog flashreport.org and heads the No on Prop 28 coalition